Sound Shore

New Rochelle City Manager Charles B. Strome III announced this morning he has appointed Alexander Tergis as the new Commissioner of Public Works. Tergis started his new job today.

He comes to New Rochelle from a variety of managerial posts in the city of Stamford, Conn., including in solid waste/recylcing, road maintenance and fleet management. He previously served as highway superintendent in Norwalk, Conn.  He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in civil engineering from Manhattan College, and has also taught at the school. He succeeds Jeffrey Coleman, who left in August.

Tergis’ appointment comes as the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the New Rochelle DPW over fraud allegations involving thousands of taxpayer dollars. Several city employees with knowledge of the investigation have told The Journal News that the district attorney is reviewing city financial records and other documents regarding claims the city may have been grossly overbilled for several vehicle maintenance jobs for more than a year. The investigation is mostly centered on one DPW worker who may have benefitted from the overbilling, the sources said.